Kumano Hongu Shrine

Kumano Hongu Shrine is the head shrine of the 3 main Kumano shrines and of all of the over 4700 Kumano shrines all over the country. Along with Kumano Hongu Shrine, the other two main shrines are called Kumano Hayatama Shrine and Kumano Nachi Shrine, and collectively they are known as the “Kumano Sanzan” in Japanese. The Kumano Sanzan is located in the south-east of Wakayama prefecture with a 20~40 km distance between each shrine but connected via the Kumano Kodo Road, the pilgrimage routes leading to each shrine. Inside of the Kumano Hongu Shrine, you can find the only onsen (hot spring) that is a registered World Heritage site that you can actually enter and bathe in! The hot spring water at “Tsubo Yu” hot spring is said to change color 7 times a day, so be sure to check out this rarity!